The Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers meet Sunday at Acrisure Stadium in a matchup between two 2-2 teams looking to climb back toward the top of their respective divisions. This Colts vs Steelers Week 5 preview comes with both sides coming off wins, though neither has looked fully in control through four weeks. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Pittsburgh holds a 22-8 edge in the all-time series, which dates back decades, and beat Indianapolis 27-20 in Pittsburgh in Week 9 last season. The Colts are trying to build off a 30-13 win over Washington in London, a game in which running back Jonathan Taylor powered the offense with 95 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Colts Vs. Steelers Game Information
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
- TV: CBS
- Series: Steelers lead all-time series 22-8
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Colts 25.5, Steelers 19.3
- Passing yards per game: Colts 188.5, Steelers 249.8
- Rushing yards per game: Colts 109.5, Steelers 94.8
- Third-down conversion rate: Colts 37.74%, Steelers 32.00%
- Red zone scoring rate: Colts 100.00%, Steelers 88.89%
- Turnover differential: Colts -6, Steelers +2
- Total takeaways: Colts 2, Steelers 8
- Total giveaways: Colts 8, Steelers 6
- Sacks allowed: Colts 8, Steelers 13
Colts Outlook
Indianapolis is 2-2 and sits second in the AFC South at .500, trailing Jacksonville’s 3-1 mark. The Colts lean heavily on Jonathan Taylor, who has rushed for 353 yards and six touchdowns on 86 carries this season, numbers that account for a significant share of Indianapolis’ offensive production.
Quarterback Daniel Jones is averaging just 5.7 yards per attempt and has four total touchdowns against seven total turnovers this season. He has completed only one pass on nine attempts of 20-plus air yards, a sign the downfield passing game has not developed. The Colts’ defense is allowing the second-most yards per game in the league, and Indianapolis enters with a minus-6 turnover differential compared to Pittsburgh’s plus-2.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen is listed as questionable with a groin injury, while receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring), cornerback Charvarius Ward (groin) and center Tanor Bortolini (ankle) also carry questionable tags. Tight end Will Mallory remains on injured reserve.
Steelers Outlook
Pittsburgh is 2-2 and tied with Cincinnati for third in the AFC North, with Cleveland and Baltimore both sitting at 3-1. The Steelers are 2-0 at home this season and are averaging 25 points per game in Pittsburgh, a notable split from their overall scoring average of 19.3 points. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 999 yards and seven touchdowns against four interceptions, and the Pittsburgh offense has shown stretches of efficiency through the first month, according to CBS Sports.
Running back Jaylen Warren has added 309 yards on 55 carries. Pittsburgh is coming off a 27-24 loss to Cleveland last Thursday night, which means the Steelers enter Sunday on extended rest compared to the Colts, who played in London the week before and now travel again.
Pittsburgh’s injury report includes wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, questionable with a fractured right wrist. Running back Rico Dowdle is questionable with a dislocated toe, and safety DeShon Elliott and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon remain on injured reserve.
Key Matchup
Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner struggled in coverage during the Week 4 win over Washington, allowing a 156.3 passer rating when targeted, tied for the highest mark among NFL cornerbacks that week, according to Yahoo Sports. He gave up four catches on five targets for 117 yards, including touchdown and chunk plays to Washington’s Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown. Gardner entered that game with a 66.2 PFF coverage grade.
That performance sets up a difficult test against DK Metcalf, who leads Pittsburgh with 213 receiving yards and a touchdown on 16 catches. Indianapolis’ defense is already allowing the second-most yards per game in the league, and how Gardner handles Metcalf and the rest of Pittsburgh’s passing attack will go a long way toward determining whether that trend continues.
Players To Watch
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
Taylor has six touchdowns in international games, the most in NFL history, and has been the engine of Indianapolis’ offense with 353 yards and six scores on 86 carries this season.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers
Rodgers has thrown for 999 yards and seven touchdowns this season and will look to keep pace at home, where Pittsburgh is averaging 25 points per game.
Sauce Gardner, CB, Colts
Gardner is looking to rebound after a difficult Week 4 in coverage, a performance the cornerback has publicly vowed not to repeat.
What To Watch
Indianapolis sits second in the AFC South and is trying to stay within range of division-leading Jacksonville. Pittsburgh is looking to climb back toward the top of a crowded AFC North that currently has Cleveland and Baltimore both at 3-1. With the Colts’ defense allowing heavy yardage and the Steelers’ offense showing flashes under Rodgers, both sides have reasons to treat Sunday’s result as a measuring-stick game early in the season.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
